Resilient Nitinol Bone Plate for Rib Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bone plate systems face challenges in stabilizing thin and delicate ribs during thoracotomy procedures, as they tend to splinter the bone and interfere with neurovascular bundles, requiring screws to extend beyond the rib and potentially irritate tissues.
Innovation Solution
A bone plate system with resilient jaws made of super elastic nitinol that clamps onto cortical bones, minimizing contact with cancellous bone and avoiding neurovascular bundles, using a process similar to attaching a binder clip to secure rib portions with a small footprint and allowing for cortical bone growth between ends.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If screws are driven into the rib to achieve sufficient purchase in the bone, then the bone plate can be secured to the rib, but the screw shank may extend beyond the rib and irritate tissues within the chest cavity
Solution Approach 1:
The bone plate utilizes a resilient, flexible design that conforms to the curved surface of the rib. The plate includes a body portion with a curved outer surface that contacts the outer surface of the rib, distributing pressure and achieving secure fixation without requiring screw extension beyond the rib cortex.
2Strength
If screws are driven completely through both layers of cortical bone and the cancellous bone therebetween to achieve sufficient purchase, then the bone plate can be secured to the rib, but the outward pressure may splinter the bone
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the traditional screw-mechanism with a resilient plate system that utilizes elastic deformation and frictional contact. The plate is resiliently deformed during installation to expand and contact the rib surface, creating a secure mechanical interlock without the need for penetrating screws that could cause bone splintering.
3Strength
If the bone plate is designed to contact the cortical bone layers, then sufficient fixation can be achieved, but the neurovascular bundle on the underside of the rib may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The bone plate features a specific geometric configuration with a body portion having a curved outer surface that contacts only the external cortical bone surface. The plate includes cutouts or recesses in regions where the neurovascular bundle is located, allowing the plate to conform to the rib anatomy while avoiding compression of the delicate neurovascular structures on the underside of the rib.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The bone plate system provides secure stabilization of rib portions with minimal tissue irritation and interference with neurovascular bundles, facilitating effective bone fusion while reducing the need for screws to extend beyond the rib, thus enhancing surgical outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
A bone plate system with resilient jaws made of super elastic nitinol that clamps onto cortical bones
Data Source
AI summary
A bone plate system is provided that permits rapid, secure stabilization of a plurality of bones, such as portions of a cut rib. The bone plate system includes a bone plate having anchor devices for securing the bone plate to, for example, cortical bone of the cut rib portions. The anchor devices have an open configuration that permits the anchor devices to be connected to the cortical bone of the cut rib portions and a clamping configuration that fixes the bone plate to the cortical bone of the cut portions. The bone plate connects the cut rib portions and stabilizes the cut rib portions against relative movement therebetween.